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Stones: My performances have dipped since joining Man City

John Stones has admitted that his “performances dipped” at Manchester City recently as he prepares to return to Everton.

Everton host Manchester City at Goodison Park on Sunday, which will represent Stones’ first game back at the club he left in the summer.

City spent £47.5m to sign the centre-half, but he has struggled with form under Pep Guardiola.

He is looking forward to the game however, with City hoping to reignite their Premier League title bid.

“There’s mixed emotions,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve got a lot of friends there, I played a lot of games for Everton and a lot of my family has got friends there, so it’s a big occasion for them, as it is for me.

“It will be strange to go back, as I’m sure it is for everyone the first time they go back to face their previous club.”

Stones has already made 25 appearances for the club this season, but was also dropped by Guardiola from the starting XI for a few games late last year.

The 22-year-old admits that he has made mistakes in defence this season, but he is determined to learn from them.

“Definitely, my performances dipped and I made a few silly mistakes that I’ve tried to correct now. It’s only natural that these things happen, playing so many games,” he said.

“It’s new to me, playing three games a week some weeks and I’ve got to find a way to adapt myself. Everyone’s disappointed when they don’t feel like they play well or they make a mistake.

“I’m the first one to hold my hand up and try and rectify that in training or the next game.”